Last Friday, June 6, we wrapped up the spring rally season at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill for our first ever Merrimack Valley Rally. We had powerful speakers, thoughtful legislators, and the support of eight sponsoring agencies: Advocates, Community Resources for Justice, Justice Resource Institute, NFI Massachusetts, The Key Program, Seven Hills Foundation, Vinfen and Waystone Health and Human Services.
The day began with welcome remarks from Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and a keynote from State Representative Andy X. Vargas (3rd Essex). We also received a special video message from U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (MA 6th District), underscoring federal support for our cause, which you can watch here.
Two human services professionals from the Merrimack Valley, Joshua Nye from Vinfen and Darleni Vlaun from Advocates, shared their work experiences, and encouraged legislators to pass both bills on the Caring Force’s legislative agenda: An act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers and An act relative to a livable wage for human services workers.
The rally had closing remarks from State Representative Adrianne Ramos (14th Essex), who told the crowd she immediately co-sponsored our student loan repayment bill, making her a co-sponsor of both our bills!
We also received coverage from WHAV Radio, which you can read here!
Check out some of our favorite moments in the photos below.
